German automaker BMW has announced that it is gearing up its Leipzig factory to manufacture electric vehicles, which are expected to roll off the factory floor starting in 2013. The news comes as the company recently debuted their Active-E concept EV at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Known for its precise engineering, the German company is certainly capable of making a big splash in the auto world now that they’ve made a serious commitment to produce electric vehicles.

BMW made the decision to retool their Leipzig factory in order to manufacture electric vehicles like the Active-E concept and the Megacity Vehicle, a subcompact city car. The Active-E is an EV based on the 1-Series, while the Megacity Vehicle, which hasn’t been named yet, is rumored to be an updated take on the Isetta. The Megacity subcompact electric car is expected to roll off the factory floor in 2013.

The Leipzig factory was originally designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and features a production line rolling right through the center of the factory administration offices. The factory opened in 2005 and it’s BMW’s most flexible factory space, so it should be able to ramp up production of the electric vehicles quickly.

BMW company chairman Norbert Reithofer said in a statement, “The BMW Group will build the car of the future in Leipzig with high-tech innovations from Bavaria. The main reasons behind this decision are the qualities that Germany has to offer: we have a tried and tested production network here and high levels of education and outstanding competencies at our disposal.”

The high-performance propulsion system\’s technology innovates in several key areas to drive performance:

With a high-frequency to low RPM ratio, the motor system does not require a transmission.
Through the use of an innovative nano-crystalline composite material the motor conducts energy ten times more efficiently than traditional iron-core motors, eliminating the need for additional cooling mechanisms and enabling greater responsiveness.
As a result of the more efficient material used to build the motor, it can achieve 2500 hertz, outperforming traditional motors\’ 250 hertz average.
The system\’s computerized motor controller is designed specifically to perform and respond to the higher-frequency output of the motor

[…] car fans, start your engines — BMW’s very first electric vehicle is on its way. The Megacity Vehicle, set to be released in 2013, is made out of lightweight carbon […]

peterseesFebruary 24, 2010 at 1:29 pm

What battery is being used? Is it the Altairnano battery? Also have they coated the body with thin-film like Alero’s for on-board charging, do they have generators in the back wheels also for on-board chrging, are they also using ultracapacitors to extend the battery life of the Altair battery? In 1996 three cars took top honors in the field of electric vehicles the EV-1 by GM got 125 miles per charge, the Ford Echostar got 225 miles per charge and the Solectira Sunrise got 375 miles per charge. All it is going to take is ONE company to put out a truly effective electric car and all the others will follow for if they don’t it will rule the next decade.